Old-fashioned Perry County picnic brings families back

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Aromas from church picnic delicacies -- funnel cakes, homemade ice cream, barbecue, chicken and dumplings, porkburgers -- are floating through the air again, adding to the history of the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary Picnic.

This year's event marks the 102nd gathering for the picnic. The event spans three days, starting Friday and ending Sunday evening.

"This is the biggest social event in Perry County," the Rev. Kevin Fausz said.

From booths that pass from generation to generation, to carousel rides and the recently returned miniature train, the St. Vincent picnic is a constant for many in the area.

Cari Skain lives in Jefferson City now, but she grew up attending the Perry County event. Coming back to the picnic returns memories of her younger years of attempting to win dolls playing various children's games.

"It's kind of a nostalgia thing," she said.

Of course the picnic does grow with the times. This year a NASCAR race car game was added.

Fausz, who helps run the picnic, said that each year organizers try to come up with something new to make the picnic better, but at the core the picnic doesn't change.

"One of the things that brings people to this picnic is its family orientation," he said. "There's something for everyone."

With temperatures soaring into the high 90s over the weekend, the ice cream stand is as popular as ever.

Patrick Walsh traveled from St. Louis to attend the picnic. He said the ice cream is better than the Gateway city's well-known Ted Drews ice cream.

"Some people come directly for the ice cream," he said.

The abundance of shaded sitting areas makes the picnic a popular site for family gatherings. For some the picnic might be the only time they see their relatives in a year.

"It's kind of a mini family reunion," Skain said.

Edna Seabaugh of Perryville has been coming to the St. Vincent picnic ever since she was a baby, said that the picnic has always been centered on family atmosphere.

"You can't hardly walk by someone without being related to them or knowing them," she said.

As the picnic wraps up today, an antique tractor pull and horseshoe pitching will be featured.

Today will also mark the last chance to get a taste of St. Vincent's famous picnic dinner. The chicken or beef dinner features slaw, green beans, dressing, chicken and dumplings and kettle-cooked beef. Some 3,500 people pay to eat the picnic dinner each year throughout the weekend.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171